MIAMI BEACH, FL – Two-time Olympic medalist Fred Kerley was arrested late Thursday night in South Florida following a reported altercation with Miami Beach police. The 29-year-old sprinter was subdued with a stun gun (often referred to as a Taser) and later taken into custody, according to an official statement released Friday by the Miami Beach Police Department.
Incident Details
Police say the confrontation occurred around 11:22 p.m. on Thursday near 100 9th Street. Officers initially spoke with Kerley regarding his vehicle, which was reportedly parked nearby. According to the police statement, Kerley’s behavior escalated and became “increasingly aggressive,” prompting officers to ask him to leave the area. When Kerley refused and “assumed a fighting stance,” officers attempted to place him under arrest.
“A dart-firing stun gun was effectively deployed,” police reported, indicating that Kerley resisted arrest.
Body-Camera Footage
Seven and a half minutes of body-camera video were released by Miami Beach police. The first 30 seconds of footage contain no audio, but Kerley can be seen wearing a gray hoodie while standing next to a police vehicle. The video shows an officer placing a hand on Kerley’s chest and then on his wrist, igniting what appears to be the start of the physical confrontation.
At least four officers are seen struggling to restrain Kerley. Eventually, one officer draws a stun gun with a yellow handle and fires it into Kerley’s back, causing him to collapse to the ground.
“I’m not resisting, I got handcuffs on!” Kerley can be heard saying.
He repeatedly accuses the officers of misconduct, insisting they would face legal consequences.Charges and Ongoing Legal Issues
Kerley was booked for battery of a police officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting an officer. Jail records show he was also being held on six-month-old charges of strong-arm robbery and domestic battery by strangulation, although details surrounding those charges remain unclear.
Kerley’s attorney, Yale Stanford, denounced the body-camera footage as “obscene,” claiming the incident underscores a broader pattern of police treatment toward African Americans.
“It just goes to show that no matter how hard you work, how many medals you earn for your country, and how many people across the globe you inspire, in Miami Beach, Mr. Kerley was treated like millions of African-Americans…with a lack of humanity, compassion, or respect,” Stanford said.
“It’s important for our community to be aware of these actions by police so we can make sure this type of behavior is prevented in the future.”
Fred Kerley’s Athletic Achievements
Fred Kerley is one of the premier sprinters in track and field:
Olympic Silver Medalist (Tokyo 2021): Kerley claimed silver in the men’s 100-meter dash.
Olympic Bronze Medalist (Paris 2023): He earned bronze in the same event in 2023.
World Champion and Consistent Top Performer: Beyond the Olympics, Kerley has been a standout at major international meets, with a reputation for powerful finishes and high-profile victories.
Though he did not identify himself as an Olympic athlete during the arrest, body-cam footage captured him telling officers:
“Bro, get off my legs, I need my f---ing legs.”
Next Court Appearance
Kerley’s attorney confirmed that the sprinter has a hearing scheduled for Saturday morning. The final outcome of the current charges and any older legal matters remains to be seen.